DiversyFund Reviews 5 Bad Habits that May Hurt Your Financial Future

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It is commonly stated that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit.

People are habitual creatures by nature, so recognizing harmful habits in life and making the necessary changes is essential for growth. Learn to identify these destructive habits even in areas you might easily overlook, like your finances.

Finances are notoriously challenging throughout all phases of life. If you find yourself questioning your future financial success, take a closer look at any bad money habits that could negatively impact your plan. Here, DiversyFund reviews five of the most common bad financial habits:

Bad Habit #1: Procrastinating

For many Americans, procrastination is common. Ninety-five percent of college students and twenty percent of the entire American population acknowledge that they are procrastinators.

Procrastination for millennials is harder to avoid than ever with technological advances and social media. With all these distractions accessible in the palm of your hand 24/7, the allure of financial planning is no match for social media and online gaming.

If you call yourself as a procrastinator, breaking the habit sooner rather than later will help you avoid financial downfalls. It’s tempting to leave financial planning on the back burner, but procrastinating could mean forgoing future savings.

Bad Habit #2: Impulse Buying

Instant gratification is very prevalent in America’s society. Many Americans become impulsive, especially with spending, to receive instant gratification. However, impulse buying can easily result in debt, which will make meeting future financial goals difficult or impossible. University of Connecticut School of Medicine psychiatry professor, Julian Ford suggests those who struggle with this habit should pause and reconnect with what is truly important to them to avoid making impulse buys.

Bad Habit #3: Using a Credit Card

Some people sign up for a credit card to build credit, others do it for the rewards points. Regardless of the reasoning, using these cards can increase your spending costs and debt risks.

Research has shown that the use of credit cards with rewards points with a 1% return for purchases led to a $68 increase in monthly spending, further increasing credit card debt by $115 per month.

The harsh reality of using credit cards for the points with companies supporting more spending might be enough to make you think twice before opening an account.

Bad Habit #4: Not Maintaining a Budget

Individuals who struggle to stay ahead of their finances most likely lack a budget. Though it is not the most exciting topic, budgets can help set you up for financial success.

A budget allows you to see how much money you spend every month. Maintaining a budget also gives you the ability to track what you are spending your money on and rearrange any financial priorities that have fallen out of line. Your future self with thank you when you figure out your accurate cost of living and decide how much to start saving for retirement.

Bad Habit #5: Expecting a Miracle

No matter how hopeless your financial situation may seem, never expect a miracle such as a lottery or a long-lost wealthy relative to be your answered prayer. DiversyFund states that this habit is dangerous for future financial freedom and that such an expectation can eliminate the motivation to take the first steps toward gaining financial peace.

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Melissa Thompson

Melissa is a mother of 2, lives in Utah, and writes for a multitude of sites. She is currently the EIC of HarcourtHealth.com and writes about health, wellness, and business topics.